Cheating with ChatGPT? Students dish on temptations of AI in the classroom
Recent advances in artificial intelligence technologies have ignited concerns across American schools about the possibility of increased plagiarism. ChatGPT, an AI language processing tool, has been widely used to write texts in seconds that are difficult to distinguish from those written by a human. These advancements in technology have made it easier for students to cheat on their schoolwork, and college students at the University of Texas at Austin have revealed their experiences with ChatGPT.
When asked about their knowledge of fellow students using ChatGPT for class assignments, majority of the students interviewed by Fox News confirmed they had heard of it. "Unfortunately, yes," said Riley, an economics major. Piper, a STEM major, also confirmed, "I definitely have heard of a couple of people using it for certain things." However, not all students were aware of ChatGPT usage among their peers. Carly, a journalism major, stated, "I do not," when asked if she knew anyone who had used ChatGPT for class assignments.
In a recent interview with Fox News in February 2021, Harvard Business School Assistant Professor Edward McFowland III identified generative AI, such as ChatGPT, as having benefits similar to those of a calculator. However, he also drew attention to the disadvantages of Wikipedia, such as inaccurate information, which are present in the use of generative AI technology for academic assignments. The concern is that students could use the chatbot beyond research to help them cheat on schoolwork.
Samuel, a science major, admitted that he had heard of fellow students using ChatGPT to complete exams. "I think most people who use ChatGPT, they also will use it on part of their exams for essays and stuff like that," he said. Similarly, Abhinav, a computer science and business major, mentioned using ChatGPT to supplement his study regime. "If I was falling behind on classes, I'd actually use it as a learning resource. So, I just keep asking questions based on what was on the slides. It kind of got me really prepared for exams and homework assignments," he explained.
While the use of AI technology can be beneficial in supplementing a student's learning, it is important for students to understand the consequences of using such technology for academic dishonesty. The use of ChatGPT should be restricted to assistance in completing assignments rather than plagiarism.
